Indicators on click here You Should Know

There are actually various roof bodies on call in today's market, each along with numerous strong points and weak spots. Listed below I will definitely explain each system briefly, and afterwards detail the advantages and disadvantages.

Thermoplastic and PVC- Singular ply, could be mechanically attached, entirely stuck or ballasted.

Pros- Manager efficiency in ponding water circumstances. Very light in weight roof coverings, in the neighborhood of 30lbs. per one hundred sq. ft. Is available in white if a great roof is desired, or even in a number of different shades for aesthetic worries. One more plus with these rooftops is actually that large custom made industry pieces can be gotten from the factory, lessening seams closed due to the crew on the jobsite. Resisting to ozone, algae as well as field joints are 3-4 opportunities stronger than EPDM filed joints. There is additionally an incredible amount of adaptability in the product. And given that seams may be bonded with warm air, there are no toxic fumes to cope with. Both 15 and also twenty years warranties on call.

Disadvantages- Being actually solitary ply, they are prone to disposed of cigarettes, sudden items fell on the membrane, and also busted glass coming from bottles thrown on roof (this takes place a GREAT DEAL) I generally prevent customers coming from installing these sorts of systems if the roof possesses a great deal of feet web traffic or even is effortlessly accessible to unwarranted personnel. Before, material shrinking went to times an intense issue on Thermoplastic and also PVC roofing systems, however changes in arrangement and also manufacturing has actually alleviated this problem. These roofs still diminish as time go on, though not relevant of failure as previously.

Profit- Fantastic roof coverings, especially on roofings that pond water intensely, as long as the roof is actually commonly available simply to authorized employees.

Asphalt Tweaked Bitumen- This roof is what a great deal of individuals get in touch with a rubber roof, when it resides in simple fact comprised mainly of asphalt. It comes in 3 ft. wide rolls and is normally torched down with an open fire, though they could be used along with warm air welders in particular ailments at the same time.

Pros- In my point of view, the largest durability of these roofs is how well they stand up to outside tensions. They deal with foot web traffic better than any other membrane, and are challenging to pierce, especially if they have a granulated surface. These roofing systems are so tough in fact, that most insurance companies won't even recognize hail storm harm as they carry out on various other roof coverings (I have actually directly observed changed roofings completely pounded with hail and come out completely un-damaged).

Drawbacks- The best obvious downside with these bodies is that there is a joint every 3 feets, which makes for a BUNCH OF seams. If you have a diligent crew along with a capable supervisor that will definitely guarantee that every seam on the roof is triple checked, you'll probably be actually alright using this system. If not, you can be pretty sure you will end up with Website leaks fairly soon, well before the warranty expires in my experience. And large ponding areas of water on these systems will degrade the material prematurely.

Bottom line- With a good, experienced crew this can be a good roof on a building that does not pond water excessively. And if you have a building with a lot of rooftop foot traffic, this is probably the only way to go.

Foam roofs- This system is applied with a large spray unit, spraying two liquid components (isocyanate and resin) When the liquids are mixed together, they expand 20-30 times and will adhere to concrete, wood, steel and most existing roof systems, but according to the manufacturers, NOT to modified bitumen.

Pros- When complete, the roof is monolithic with no seams, fully adhered and has insulating properties.

Cons- Full disclosure, I have limited experience with these roofs here in NE Illinois. We don't install them, but I have been on 9-10 buildings with this system, and all of them leaked badly, in a couple of cases within months of being installed. Leaks are very difficult to track down and difficult to fix even when found, as repair materials don't adhere to this surface very well.

Bottom line- Based on my admittedly limited experience with this system, I would not advise my clients to go this route when a new roof is needed.

EPDM Rubber- Rubber roofs can be fully adhered, mechanically fastened or weighed down with ballast (Riverbed gravel or pavers) They are versatile, appropriate for many installations and have a long track record.

Pros- Rubber roofs are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and repair. They are available in large sheets to minimize the number of field seams, and there is quite bit of flexibility in the membrane.

Cons- Field seams on these roofs are not as strong as Thermoplastic roofs. Flashings and roof edges tend to wear out more quickly than the remainder of the roof. Shrinkage over long periods can be dramatic in some applications.

Bottom line- Can be a good investment for a building owner, but all of the circumstances of a given installation must be carefully weighed. And good workmanship on the install is vital.

Spray applied roofing- These are not technically re-roofs, they are considered coatings. Some companies refer to them as "re-plys", as you are essentially adding a ply to the existing roof surface. There are numerous manufacturers offering various products with different compositions and specification, too numerous to go into fully here. If an existing roof is experiencing leaks but has not advanced to the point of outright failure, them may be good candidates for this solution.

Pros- Can be extremely cost effective, especially on roofs that have a lot of projections and rooftop HVAC units. The material is pure white, which in some cases (especially on metal roofs) can dramatically reduce AC cooling costs. As this is considered to be roof repairs rather than a new roof, there are tax advantages as well.

Cons- The existing roof must still be in somewhat decent condition. If applied to a roof that has already failed, your money will basically be wasted. Also, since this material is sprayed on, any cars within 100 ft or so must be moved during the application process, as this material will be extremely difficult if not impossible to remove from a car's finish. Some manufacturers do not warranty this material if there is ANY ponding water on the roof. Can not be applied to a roof with an existing gravel ballast.

Bottom line- This solution may save a building owner a lot of money, if the existing roof is in good enough condition to accept the coating. Excellent solution for metal roofs in particular.

As you can see, there are many different solutions to your flat roofing needs. It is vital however to choose a roofer who will recommend the best system for your particular roof and circumstances, and not the best solution for his wallet. Be sure you understand why a roofer is recommending a particular system for your project, and which system will be the best investment for you.